Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about our free online pitch detector. Topics include how voice type selection fixes octave errors, microphone tips, browser compatibility, privacy, and how to use the recording comparison feature. If your question is not listed here, feel free to reach out via the about page.
Why does the pitch detector show the wrong octave?
Most pitch detectors don't account for voice type, causing male voices to often read one octave too low. Our tool lets you select your voice type (e.g. Tenor, Bass) so the algorithm uses the correct frequency range and gives you accurate octave readings.
Why does the reading jump around on high notes?
High-frequency signals can be harder to track reliably. We display a Confidence Indicator so you always know how trustworthy the current reading is. A low-confidence signal means you should move closer to the mic or reduce background noise.
Is my audio recorded or sent to a server?
No. All processing happens locally in your browser using the Web Audio API. No audio data is ever uploaded or stored.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. The tool is fully responsive and works on iOS (Safari) and Android (Chrome). No app download required.
What microphone should I use for the best pitch detection?
Any microphone that your browser can access will work. However, a directional headset mic or USB condenser mic gives significantly better results than a built-in laptop microphone because it reduces room noise and keyboard click interference. For casual practice a built-in mic is sufficient in a quiet room.
Why does the confidence bar turn red?
The confidence bar reflects how reliably the YIN algorithm was able to identify a fundamental frequency in the audio frame. It turns red when the signal-to-noise ratio is too low (the signal is too quiet or the room is too noisy), when the note is being attacked or released rather than sustained, or when multiple frequencies are present simultaneously. Move closer to the mic and reduce background noise to improve confidence.
Can I use this pitch detector with an instrument instead of my voice?
Yes. The pitch detector works with any monophonic (single-note) audio source: voice, violin, flute, guitar (single strings), trumpet, and more. Polyphonic inputs such as chords on a piano or guitar will produce unreliable readings because the algorithm is designed for one pitch at a time.
Does the pitch detector work on mobile phones and tablets?
Yes. The tool is fully responsive and supports microphone access on iOS (Safari 14.5 and above) and Android (Chrome). No app download is required. On iOS, make sure to grant microphone permission when Safari prompts you.
What is the vocal range test and how is it different from the pitch detector?
The vocal range test and the pitch detector use the same detection engine, but they serve different goals. The pitch detector focuses on real-time note-by-note accuracy for singers who want to check their intonation on specific notes or phrases. The vocal range test is oriented toward mapping your full singing range from lowest to highest note, helping you identify your voice type (Soprano, Tenor, Bass etc.).
How accurate is the pitch detector?
Under good conditions (quiet room, close-mic, sustained note, correct voice type selected), the YIN algorithm produces pitch estimates accurate to within 1-2 Hz, which is well within 5 cents for the mid-vocal range. Accuracy decreases at the extremes of the vocal range, during rapid note transitions, and in noisy environments.
What browsers support this pitch detector?
The tool requires Web Audio API and getUserMedia support. All modern browsers support these: Chrome 74+, Firefox 76+, Safari 14.5+, Edge 79+. Internet Explorer is not supported.